Harrow School is situated in Harrow on the Hill in north-west London and is one of the best-known schools in the world. Around 837 boys study at Harrow and live in the School’s 12 boarding houses. Employees particularly value the School’s beautiful green estate, the positive working environment, and good relationships with their colleagues.

The Role:

An opportunity has arisen at Harrow for a Post Graduate Assistant Teacher (PGAT) of Drama / Theatre Director-in-Residence from September 2024. The post comes with a generous package, including rent-free accommodation and health cover provided free of charge for you and at a reduced rate for any members of your immediate family that you may wish to add. All meals are provided free of charge during term time.

PGAT appointments are fixed term contracts and are typically for one academic year, with the possibility of the contract being renewed for a second year. These positions give successful candidates the opportunity to experience life at a leading independent boarding school, to acquire and develop teaching skills, and to make a significant contribution outside the timetable to the School’s extra-curricular activities and in the super-curricular programme for academic extension. PGATs teach a reduced timetable, typically no more than 20 timetabled lessons of 40 minutes’ duration per week and assist in departments more generally in ways appropriate to their experience and ability. In addition, the School provides training in skills both related to teaching and transferable to other professions. The role of PGAT will allow those interested in pursuing a career in teaching to gain directly relevant experience and training, and those more likely to move into another profession beyond the end of their time at Harrow to acquire skills beneficial for their future careers in other areas, including banking, consultancy and the law.

Harrow has a long-established and vibrant dramatic tradition. Drama is taught on the curriculum across the School. All boys follow an introductory course in the Shell year and may then opt for Drama and Theatre courses at GCSE and A-level. An annual programme of whole-School productions aims to extend the most committed actors and technicians in the School, forming companies across Houses and year groups. Each year, six of the twelve Houses also produce fully staged individual or combined productions. The department runs a developed programme of partnerships and outreach work. Community groups regularly make use of Harrow’s theatre facilities, and the department mounts a series of projects in which Harrovians collaborate with peers from partner schools.

Seating approximately 300 people across two levels, the Ryan Theatre is equipped to industry standards and staffed by a team of six creative, technical and administrative professionals, in addition to drama teachers. Boys interested in the technical elements of drama can learn about scenic design and construction, sound, lighting and AV design, stage management, costume and make-up, through practical involvement and professional mentoring. The department also makes use of a suite of studio spaces for teaching, rehearsal and smaller-scale performance.

The successful candidate will teach Drama on the academic curriculum to year 9 classes; run a Drama-related Elective course in an area of individual specialism; support and supervise pupils preparing performance work as part of GCSE and A level Drama and Theatre. They will also play a significant role in the development and delivery of drama community projects and with other co-curricular activities.

Closing date: 8am, Monday 20 May 2024

Informal enquiries about the role would be welcome: please contact Mr. Adam Cross, Director of Drama – apc@harrowschool.org.uk

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with any past employer and the DBS.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are values that are important to us at Harrow. We believe in diversity of thought and actively welcome anyone regardless of their background to bring their valuable and relevant skills to our community.